September 30, 1999

Name:

Kudu

Age:

Two years old

Gender:

Male

Kind:

Eastern Chain Kingsnake

Home:

Clearwater, Florida, USA

Kudu
is a two-year-old Eastern Chain Kingsnake who lives in
Clearwater, Florida. He's a lucky snake because I really love giving
him everything a snake needs to be happy. His cage includes hollow
logs to explore, a straw hut (made from a big straw hat) that he
loves to sleep under, and shelves for climbing which provide exercise
and keep him strong.

Kudu is the only snake I've ever had, and he has surprised me with
his intelligence and behavior. He gets bored if I don't rearrange the
things in his cage. When I do, he spends up to two hours crawling
through every new crevice, learning the new layout. Just when I think
I know his routine, he does something new like sleeping up in his
"hammock" or spending the day curled up in his water dish.
When I take Kudu out of his cage for a "walk," his favorite
thing to explore is the bunch of tennis balls that I have in the
corner. They form so many interesting spaces for a snake to explore!
He also loves the smell of dirt, and heads straight for potted plants
any time he gets a chance. I've had Kudu since he was eight months
old. I can't imagine how I ever got along without him!